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Country Ridge Stables

A Small Business Project

PROJECT SNAPSHOT: Country Ridge Stables

Energy-saving improvements

Wall-mounted occupancy sensor

LED fixtures

Outdoor: photocells

Outdoor: LED fixtures

Estimated annual energy savings

29,000 kWh

Total project cost

$31,361

ComEd Energy Efficiency Program Incentive

$18,743

Project cost after incentive

$12,618

Estimated annual electric cost savings

$3,100

Estimated payback after incentives

4.1 years

Project Summary

Country Ridge Stables is a state of the art hunter/ jumper horse boarding and training facility located in Mundelein, IL.

As a result of their project through the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program, Country Ridge Stables, a state of the art horse boarding and training facility, was able to improve working conditions, enhance air quality, create a safer, well-lit working environment, and lower their electric bill by more than 20 percent.

A detailed assessment of the facility was conducted by ComEd and Project Green Environmental Solutions, a ComEd Energy Efficiency service provider. Financial incentives helped offset the costs to install new lighting for the stable's aisles, hay barn, and arena as well as new LED exterior lighting.

“The horses receive even better care since the crew can see and examine the horses much better. No nicks or cuts are missed”, commented owner and CEO, Ann Marie Santowski.

The Solution

The assessment revealed that replacing exhaust fans with enhanced ventilation would improve the air quality within the stables and arena. Pipe insulation for the hot water heating system and new ENERGY STAR® certified freezers used to store ice wraps for the horses' feet could improve the energy efficiency of the stable as well.

Newly-lit entryways, with 24-hour emergency lights and an installation of photocells created a safer environment for staff and horse alike. Amanda Santowski, a frequent rider, pointed out that “some horses can be sensitive to the shadows in the corners of the arena. The new brighter lights eliminate that from happening.”

Project Benefits

Just four months after the completion of the improvements, Country Ridge Stables has decreased their monthly electric bills by an average of 23 percent per month. Their total monthly electrical consumption for the four months was reduced by 20 percent when compared to the same period in 2015. The total savings for these four months was $870.62, which is $23.45 greater than the amount of their average monthly electric bill in 2016.

“The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program helped us save money and brighten up with a better quality of light,” said Ann Marie. “The incentives helped us complete more work than we could have done on our own. And we definitely liked the team. Rain, sleet, or snow—they were here, all in a day’s work.”

The program helped us save money and brighten up with a better quality of light; the incentives helped us complete more work than we could have done on our own.